Former Uber PR Head Rachel Whetstone Takes Newly-Created Role At Facebook

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Uber communications head Rachel Whetstone has landed at Facebook in a newly-created VP role overseeing communications for WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger products.

At Facebook, Whetstone will report to VP of global communications Caryn Marooney. Whetstone, who starts her role in September, will focus mostly on WhatsApp while the communications leads for Instagram and Messenger will "get guidance" from her.

The move comes three-months after Whetstone parted ways with the troubled car-hailing company Uber. (Whetstone's deputy Jill Hazelbaker took over her position there.) According to Recode, a rocky relationship between Whetstone and former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick led to her departure.

Whetstone is considered among the most seasoned and sought after communications heads in Silicon Valley. When she joined Uber in 2015, she had completed a decade at Google, climbing the ranks to the top comms post advising CEOs Eric Schmidt and co-founder Larry Page. Before Google, Whetstone worked in UK politics.

“It's a real privilege to be joining the Facebook family," Whetstone said in a statement. "Products like WhatsApp have become an important part of my life — making it so much easier to stay in touch with my own family and friends.”

“We are thrilled Rachel will be joining us — she brings unique insight and leadership to an already world-class team,” Marooney said in a statement. “We’re excited to work with and learn from Rachel as we manage some of the world's most interesting communications opportunities.”